Switch having twin contact operator cards

ABSTRACT

A switch is disclosed in which two sets of contacts and two pushbuttons are combined with twin contact operator cards so that the contact operator cards respond simultaneously to pushbutton operation yet remain free to act independently of each other.

United States Patent [1 1 Barker et al.

[ July 10, 1973 SWITCH HAVING TWIN CONTACT OPERATOR CARDS Inventors: Thomas Harlon Barker, Westerville, Ohio; Richard Stenglein, Batavia, Ill.

Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories,

Incorporated, Murray Hill, NJ.

Filed: Aug. 18, 1972 Appl. No.: 281,990

US. Cl. 200/1, 200/5 E, ZOO/18,

200/153, 335/119 Int. Cl. H0111 3/12 Field of Search 335/119, 120, 159,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 784,605 3/1905 Wanemaker 179/176 2,049,397 7/ 1936 Merkel 200/67 A 3,189,153 6/1965 Barnard et a1. 197/98 3,591,745 7/1971 Puetz 200/72 Primary Examinerl-larold Broome Attorney-W. E. Keefauver [5 7 ABSTRACT A switch is disclosed in which two sets of contacts and two pushbuttons are combined with twin contact operator cards so that the contact operator cards respond simultaneously to pushbutton operation yet remain free to act independently of each other.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures llllllll Patented July 10, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented July 10, 1973 2 Slaets-Sheet 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to pushbutton switching devices and pertains, in particular, to those which are used to control subcomponents in electronic processors.

2. Description of the Prior Art A processor, such as the type designated ESS No. lA by the Bell System, is a complex electronic system for manipulating data. The system comprises many individual electronic units which provide subfunctions utilized by the processor in the performance of its final functions. Since each unit is a separate item, it can be placed in service or removed as conditions demand. When each is placed in service or removed from service, however, it is important that the processor be so advised.

Generally, a unit can be placed in service at any time. Removal, however, must be timed so as to avoid interruption of its operating cycle. Otherwise, control sequences can malfunction. Some means must be provided, therefore, to avoid removal except between cycles. Nevertheless, there are occasions when a unit must be removed during mid-cycle, i.e., during a power overload. Consequently, the processor must have some means to distinguish between normal removal occurring between cycles and abnormal removal which has occurred during the operating cycle.

The processor can readily determine unit service status merely by monitoring the ON or OFF condition of the power switch. The condition of the power switch, however, does not reveal how that condition was reached. Heretofore, relay arrangements unrelated to the mechanical operation of the power switch have been used to appraise the processor of the service status of its units as well as the manner in which that status was achieved. While satisfactory in many respects, these arrangements have generally proved to be complicated and expensive.

Accordingly, the object of this invention is to achieve a simple and inexpensive arrangement for determining both the operative status of processor units as well as the manner in which that status was reached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention a simple and inexpensive arrangement for determining the service status as well as the manner in which that status was reached is achieved by relating service status and manner of achievement to the mechanical operation of a unit's power switch.

According to one feature of this invention, service status and its achievement are related to the mechanical operation of a power switch by combining two contact sets adapted to control a power circuit and a logic circuit, respectively, with two pushbuttons and two contact cards. The contact cards are independently mounted so that both can act in concert or so that either can act independently of the other. The contact cards are interposed between the pushbuttons and the contact sets so that both contact sets are enabled when one pushbutton is operated, both contact sets are disabled when the other pushbutton is operated and either contact set can be enabled or disabled when its associated contact card operates independently. A better understanding of these and other objects and features of this invention will be facilitated by reference to the following drawing and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front elevation view with portions broken away of an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with portions broken away to show interior details;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 taken in section along the lines 3-3 showing the rear contact set and the rear card in its operated state; and

FIG. 4 is the same view shown in FIG. 3 but shows the rear card in its unoperated state and the front card in phantom in its operated state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a power switch 10 is disclosed which comprises a contact set 11, a contact set 12, a pushbutton assembly 13, a contact operator as sembly 14 and a housing 15.

The housing 15 is conveniently divided into an upper case 16 and a lower case 17 which fit together in a conventional fashion to form a closed container. Advantageously, it is made from sheet metal stock for rigidity and protection of the internal parts. If desired, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower case 17 can be vented.

The upper case 16 contains the pushbutton assembly 13. As best seen in FIG. 1, the pushbutton assembly 13 includes two pushbuttons 20 and 21, indicator lamps 22 and conventional hardware for mounting the pushbuttons and lamps on the upper case 16. Both pushbuttons are designed for reciprocal movement in and out of the upper case 16 and each contains specific structure for operating special contacts. As best seen in FIG. 1, the pushbutton 20 includes a shoulder 23 located adjacent its lower extremity. The pushbutton 21, as best seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, has a blade 24 at its lower end and is also adapted for rotational movement.

The lower case 17 supports the contact sets 11 and 12 as well as the contact operator assembly 14. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the contact sets 11 and 12 comprise two parallel rows of contacts which extend inwardly of the lower case 17 and open and close in response to enablement by components of the contact operator assembly 14.

The contact operator assembly 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises an indicator switch assembly 29, a card assembly 30 and a locking assembly 31. The card assembly 30 translates operation of the pushbuttons 20 and 21 into actuation of the contact sets I 1 and 12. As shown in FIG. 2, it includes two end supports 32, a shaft 33, two cards 34 and 35, and spacers 36.

The end supports 32 are attached opposite to each other inside the lower case 17 and each is journaled to accommodate one end of the shaft 33. The two cards 34 and 35 are suspended on the shaft 33 so that they are free to rotate and are located thereon by the spacers 36.

As shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2, the indicator switch assembly 29 is located above the shaft 33 so as to project into the upper case 16 when the housing 15 is assembled. It comprises a somewhat S-shaped bracket 38 which has a mounting lug 39 at one end and a contact lug 40 at the other end. The mounting lug 39 includes tapped holes to accommodate mounting screws in the end supports 32 (not shown) and, as best seen in FIG. 2, the contact lug 40 is bent to form an car 41. Two indicator switches 42 and 43 having contacts 44 are mounted on the bracket 38. As shown in FIG. 2, the indicator switch 42 is attached to the contact lug 40 so that the contacts 44 are operatively disposed on either side of the blade 24 on the pushbutton 21. Thus, when the pushbutton 21 is rotated, the contacts 44 will engage and disengage in response to movement of the blade 38.

As shown in FIG. 1, the indicator switch 43 is attached to the ear 41 so that the contacts 44 are disposed in the path traveled by the shoulder 23 when the pushbutton is actuated. Thus, when the pushbutton 21 is depressed or released, corresponding operation of the appropriate contacts 44 will follow.

The cards 34 and are substantially identical. Both have a roughly ellipsoidal configuration and each has a mounting hole to accommodate the shaft 33. In addition, each has cam surfaces 45 and 46 at opposite ends as well as contact fingers 47 and a locking arm 48 depending from one side. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the cards 34 and 35 are located on the shaft 33 so that the cam surfaces 45 are both disposed under the pushbutton 20 and the cam surfaces 46 are both disposed under the pushbutton 21. consequently, depression of either pushbutton will cause the cards to rotate simultaneously if they are in an operative position with respect to the depressed pushbutton. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the contact fingers 47 on each card cooperate with corresponding contacts in the contact sets 11 and 12. Thus, when the cards 34 and 35 rotate, predetermined contact action will occur in the contact sets.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the locking arm 48 on each card projects outwardly and downwardly so as to lie in a plane disposed parallel to a plane containing the dependent contact fingers 47. The two contact arms 48 cooperate with the locking assembly 31 to hold the cards 34 and 35 in position once the contact sets 11 and 12 have been operated.

The locking assembly 31 includes an electromagnet 51, an armature 52, a biasing spring 53 and a locking spring 54. As best seen in FIG. 1, the locking spring 54 is substantially L-shaped and has a detent 55 at one end to frictionally engage the arm 48 on the card 34. As can be understood from FIG. 1, the arm 48 will engage the detent 55 as the card 34 moves under the impetus of the pushbutton 20. Once over the detent 55, the arm 48 will remain in place until the pushbutton 21 is depressed sufficiently to force it back over the detent 55. Thereafter, the card 34 will be returned to its unoperated position by the concerted action of the spring action of the contacts in the contact set 11 and the locking spring 54.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the armature 52 is attached to the arm 48 on the card 35, while the biasing spring 53 is attached to one end thereof. The electromagnet 51 is attached to the lower case 17 so that its core lies in the path of travel of the armature 52. Thus, when the pushbutton 20 is depressed, the card 35 will move against the force exerted by the biasing spring 53 until the armature 52 comes to rest against the electromagnet 51 as shown in FIG. 3. If the electromagnet 51 is energized, the card 35 will remain in place until the electromagnet 51 is de-energized.

As shown in FIG. 4, if both cards 34 and 35 are being held operated by the locking assembly 31 when the electromagnet 51 is de-energized, the biasing spring 53 will return the card 35 to its unoperated state while leaving the card 34 undisturbed. From the foregoing, it is apparent that the cards 34 and 35 will respond simultaneously'to operation of either pushbutton, yet remain free to act independently in response to changes in the locking assembly 31.

Advantageously, contacts in the contact set 12 can be used to control power current; i.e., the two power current contacts 56 and 57 shown in FIG. 4. In addition, the electromagnet 51 can be used to monitor overloads so as to disconnect the contacts 56 and 57 as occasions warrant. Other contacts can be used in a conventional manner for reporting or monitoring the state of the contact card 35; viz., whether it is in the ON or OFF state. Still others can be used to facilitate cooperation between the processor and the unit controlled by the switch 10.

Recognizing that the OFF state can be achieved either by operation of the pushbutton 21 or by release of the electromagnet 51, an arrangement is available for readily making a distinction. Specifically, since the card 34 can be released only when the pushbutton 21 is operated, contacts common to both contact sets 11 and 12 can be combined in a conventional way to generate logic identifying the condition where the card 35 has resumed its unoperated state due to the pushbutton 21 being depressed or the condition where it has re sumed its unoperated state due'to release of the electromagnet 51.

The arrangement disclosed, therefore, is a simple mechanism which controls power circuits whilesimultaneously providing mechanically controlled means by which the state of the mechanism as well as the manner it achieved that state can readily be ascertained.

The pushbuttons 20 and 21 provide a particularly convenient way to communicate with a processor. As can be seen from FIG. 1, for example, depression of the pushbutton 20 will cause the contacts 44 on the switch 43 to close. The resulting signal can readily be used to advise a processor that the unit associated with the switch 10 is now in service.

Similarly, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, rotation of the pushbutton 21 prior to depression will cause the blade 24 to interact with the contacts 44 in the switch 42. That interaction can readily be used as the mechanism for inquiring of the processor whether or not the unit can be removed from service; i.e., whether or not it is in mid-cycle. The indicator lamps 22 are particularly suitable for registering processor responses as well as visually signifying the state of the switch 10.

In summary, a simple switch has been disclosed which provides self-contained means for indicating its ON or OFF status as well as the manner in which that status was achieved. While only one embodiment has been disclosed, it is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and many others falling within the scope of the invention and will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. A switching device for controlling two independent circuits including one contact set for controlling one circuit, a second contact set for controlling the sec- 0nd circuit, two pushbuttons, and contact operator means for enabling both contact sets in response to pushbutton operation CHARACTERIZED lN THAT said contact operator means includes twin cards rotatably disposed on a common shaft in register with each other and said pushbuttons are located at opposite ends of said cards to simultaneously rotate said cards when depressed whereby both circuits will be enabled or disabled at the same time in response to respective pushbutton operation and enabled or disabled individually in response to individual rotation of a single card.

2. A switching device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said contact operator means includes first locking means for frictionally holding one card in an operated position, second locking means for magnetically holding the second card in an operated position and biasing means for urging said second card towards its unoperated position whereby said one card will remain operated and said second card will become unoperated when magnetically released by said second locking means.

3. A switching device in accordance with claim 2 wherein each card has a plurality of contact fingers disposed in operative relationship with an associated contact set and an arm for engaging an associated locking means.

4. A switching device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first locking means includes a cantilevered spring having gripping means at one end for engaging the arm on said frictionally held one card when said one card is in its operated position.

5. A switching device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the arm on said second card includes an armature and said second locking means includes an electromagnet for magnetically holding said armature when said second card is in its operated'position.

6. A switching device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said biasing means includes a spring tensioned to oppose holding forces exerted on said armature by said electromagnet whereby said second card will rotate in response to forces exerted by said spring when the magnetic force holding said armature is removed.

7. A switching device in accordance with'claim 6 wherein each arm is spaced from and lies in a plane parallel to a plane containing the contact fingers of its card. 

1. A switching device for controlling two independent circuits including one contact set for controlling one circuit, a second contact set for controlling the second circuit, two pushbuttons, and contact operator means for enabling both contact sets in response to pushbutton operation CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said contact operator means includes twin cards rotatably disposed on a common shaft in register with each other and said pushbuttons are located at opposite ends of said cards to simultaneously rotate said cards when depressed whereby both circuits will be enabled or disabled at the same time in response to respective pushbutton operation and enabled or disabled individually in response to individual rotation of a single card.
 2. A switching device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said contact operator means includes first locking means for frictionally holding one card in an operated position, second locking means for magnetically holding the second card in an operated position and biasing means for urging said second card towards its unoperated position whereby said one card will remain operated and said second card will become unoperated when magnetically released by said second locking means.
 3. A switching device in accordance with claim 2 wherein each card has a plurality of contact fingers disposed in operative relationship with an associated contact set and an arm for engaging an associated locking means.
 4. A switching device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first locking means includes a cantilevered spring having gripping means at one end for engaging the arm on said frictionally held one card when said one card is in its operated position.
 5. A switching device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the arm on said second card includes an armature and said second locking means includes an electromagnet for magnetically holding said armature when said second card is in its operated posiTion.
 6. A switching device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said biasing means includes a spring tensioned to oppose holding forces exerted on said armature by said electromagnet whereby said second card will rotate in response to forces exerted by said spring when the magnetic force holding said armature is removed.
 7. A switching device in accordance with claim 6 wherein each arm is spaced from and lies in a plane parallel to a plane containing the contact fingers of its card. 